Emerging markets lift phone shipments as Apple edges Samsung

Anabelle Colaco
15 Jan 2026, 01:39 GMT+10

Global smartphone shipments edged higher in 2025, helped by improving demand in emerging economies, but growth remained modest as manufacturers navigated tariffs and supply constraints
Worldwide shipments rose two percent year-on-year in 2025, Counterpoint said on January 12, with momentum driven mainly by stronger economic conditions in emerging markets
Apple emerged as the world’s largest smartphone vendor by shipments, capturing a 20 percent market share in 2025, the biggest among the top five brands

HONG KONG: Global smartphone shipments edged higher in 2025, helped by improving demand in emerging economies, but growth remained modest as manufacturers navigated tariffs and supply constraints, according to new data from Counterpoint Research.

Worldwide shipments rose two percent year-on-year in 2025, Counterpoint said on January 12, with momentum driven mainly by stronger economic conditions in emerging markets. Early in the year, phone makers pulled shipments forward to get ahead of tariffs, though that effect faded as the year progressed, leaving second-half volumes essentially unchanged.

Apple emerged as the world's largest smartphone vendor by shipments, capturing a 20 percent market share in 2025, the biggest among the top five brands. The company benefited from solid demand in emerging and mid-sized markets and strong sales of its iPhone 17 lineup, said Counterpoint analyst Varun Mishra.

Samsung Electronics followed closely behind with a 19 percent market share, posting modest shipment growth over the year. China's Xiaomi ranked third with a 13 percent share, supported by steady demand across emerging markets, Counterpoint said.

Looking ahead, the research firm expects the global smartphone market to face renewed pressure in 2026. Chip shortages and rising component costs are likely to weigh on shipments as semiconductor manufacturers increasingly prioritise capacity for artificial intelligence data centres over consumer electronics, said Counterpoint Research Director Tarun Pathak.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Kolkata Sun.

More Information

International

Section

Powell calls indictment threat a pretext to control interest rates

WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump has sharply intensified his standoff with the Federal Reserve, with the Justice Department...

Northern Finland freezes, all flights cancelled, tourists stranded

HELSINKI, Finland: The severe cold forced cancelations of flights at Kittilä airport, leaving thousands of tourists in northern Finland...

Can’t give Peace Prize to Trump, Nobel Institute tells Machado

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Norwegian Nobel Institute has dashed any hope that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado would give...

Outings to Italy’s Mount Etna restricted as volcanic eruptions begin

MOUNT ETNA, Italy: Guides in Sicily's Mount Etna are upset with the local authorities over tougher restrictions imposed by them after...

Four-runway Bishoftu project aims to become Africa’s largest hub

BISHOFTU, Ethiopia: Ethiopia has kicked off construction of a vast new airport near its capital, a project officials say will transform...

Breather for Trump as US top court delays tariffs ruling to January 14

WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump's decision on global tariffs received an unexpected breather when the U.S. Supreme Court postponed...

India

Section

Haryana government asks officials not to use 'Harijan', 'Girijan' in official correspondence, reminds of Centre's instructions

Chandigarh [India], January 15 (ANI): The Haryana government has called for strict compliance with the Central government's instructions...